Acrylic "spray can" paints

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
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Hi all, I’m rather new here and find much has changed in 40 years when it comes to paints for modeling.
I’m wanting to use acrylic paints for modeling throughout instead of enamels or whatever else is out there nowadays.
I live at least 35 miles to the closest hobby shop and my local Walmarts no longer has a model section as of 5 years or so ago.

My question is more so about spray can primers and clear coats:

What’s a good “spray can” primer and clear coat for acrylic only use ?
Are todays Lacquer “spray can” clear finishes compatible with acrylics or should I stick with everything acrylic?

If I can’t find anything local I will order it online, I just don’t want to spend a bundle and then have to experiment and learn the hard way which ones are not good to use.
In other words my fear is that with all the types of sprays out there (Krylon, Rustoleum, etc) that the wrong one will melt my model which of course would be a bummer since this is the first model (AMT’s 1966 Olds 442) I’ll be building in decades.
(The model was ordered online and hasn’t arrived yet so I’m trying to gather tools and supplies before its arrival.)

Some of these brands (Rustoleum, Krylon etc) are being mentioned in other threads but I’m rather confused on what exact type of paint are used with these and if these can be used with acrylic paints only.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Richie

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i have been using NOW from ace hardware for years on all my armor and large scale ships as a primer and bruah paint and aurbrush acrylics over them. NOW is less expensive than KRYLON.

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Thank you Waynec, I have an ACE store about a mile away, I’ll see if they carry it.

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Be aware that hardware store primers are very coarse.

No spray primer is better and finer than Tamiya primers, IMO.

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Thanks Chrisk, yes I never thought about that, perhaps I should just order the Tamiya primer, I don’t mind sanding between coats but the less time spent doing so the better.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a clear coat spray to use over acrylic ?

I did order one of these propellant sprayers last night, so I guess I can I can use it for acrylic clear coats sold in bottles too or at least I hope I can.

www.hobbylinc.com/…/tes9215.htm

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There are several brands that have clear acrylic sprays.

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Hi Don thanks for your response, I’m not having any luck finding any model brands spray clear acrylic (Testors, Tamiya etc), I found that Krylon sells an acrylic clear coat spray but I’m not sure how it would react with model brands acrylic paints but it does say it’s safe for plastics which is good.

www.krylon.com/…/crystal-clear-acrylic

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If you prefer spray cans, Tamiya clear spray cans are your best bet. They are solvent-based. However, they have never given me any problem whatsoever with Tamiya or Vallejo acrylics.

If you can airbrush varnishes, Vallejo clear varnishes are the best. They are true acrylics, have no smell, and dry very quickly. Nowadays I use only Vallejo matte varnish.

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I, too bought Krylon Acrylic clear coat both in flat and gloss. The more I thought about it the more I should have gotten them in enamel for clear coat.

I know having a gloss coat works best for decals but afterwards, should I put 2 coats of clear coat to seal in the decals before doing any weathering? I know doing a final coat of flat clear coat will seal in the weathering done on the kit.

Should I switch to enamel clear coat or would acrylic clear coat by Krylon be fine?

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Thank you Chrisk-k, I’m going to look into both types, I’ll be placing an order this afternoon and feel one of these two types will suffice.

I’m leary about hardware store sprays as it is.

Good question BlackSheepTwo, I’ll be watching for the answer on that question too.

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I have used the Krylon acrylic and several other brands of general purpose paints. Seems okay. I prefer something like Glosscoat ir Dullcoat if I am going to be doing further weathering, because I know they are resistant to the thinners I use in weathering washes.

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I believe mine are Glosscoat and Dullcoat by Krylon. So I take it they’re fine?

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great information guys, I’m taking notes because it will come in handy in the near future.

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By Glosscoat and Dullcoat I meant the Testors Trademark name for their gloss and matt clear spray. They are either enamel or lacquer.

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For gloss coating, Future works the best IME. It sprays extremely well and one $5 bottle will last for a life time.

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Chrisk-k: I googled Future for plastic models and found some good video’s on youtube that I’m going to check out. Thanks for the tip.

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Now “Future” is called Pledge Floor Care Multi-Surface Finish. Most grocery stores carry it.

DO NOT buy Pledge Floor Care Multi-Surface Cleaner.

Do NOT buy Pledge Floor Care for Wood Floors

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Thanks for the heads up Chrisk-k, I was going to the store this morning to pick up a few things and look to see if they carry it, I’ll at least read the label very closely now.

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As I understand it, the stuff we all knew as Future has changed it’s formula and really isn’t that good anymore. I’m just wondering if that’s true or if peo

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-oops I hate when that happens: now I’ll continue- or if people have just been picking up the wrong stuff. I’m still working off the same bottle I’ve been using for around the past 12 or 13 years and most likely won’t empty it in my lifetime.